Great Day Ministry

Try as we will, none of us lives up to our full potential.
We develop only a small fraction of our brain’s capacity, and use only a portion of our body’s resources; yet we often feel mentally or physically exhausted.
That’s when we need to acknowledge human weakness and call upon a higher power.
One of God’s greatest warriors, the apostle Paul often had to do that. He writes; “There was a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away. But He said to me; ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

A recommended song to accompany this devotion is “His Strength Is Perfect” by Steven Curtis Chapman.
To hear the complete 3-minute program click > on the sound bar ABOVE, or contact greatdayministry@aol.com and request that it to be sent to your e-mail daily.Users of ANDROID Mobile Devices can download this program by holding on Great Day 022219 and selecting ‘Save Link’.

To hear the complete 15-minute program click > on the sound bar ABOVE.Users of ANDROID Mobile Devices can download this program by holding onStylings 021719 and selecting ‘Save Link’.

Devotion 02/17/2019Our Devotion: “Feral. Fantastic.” by Maya Laytham of Overland Park, KS, a professional writing student at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

“Who am I?” Mr. Fox, the title character of the 2009 film Fantastic Mr. Fox asks, “and how can a fox ever be happy without, you’ll forgive the expression, a chicken in its teeth?”

He’s a wild animal, a literal fox, but he’s also a husband, father, and journalist. The tension between his nature and his roles sets the backdrop for the film based on Roald Dahl’s book of the same name.

Sitting in front of a tall stack of toast and in what can only be described as business-casual attire, Mr. Fox complains that living in a hole makes him feel poor. Seconds later, he devours the stack with a ferocity that reminds the audience of the wild animal this philosophizing, mid-life-crisis-having fox is at heart.

He wants to become more civilized, but he simultaneously fears losing the untamed spark that he believes gives him essential value.

Attempting to reaffirm his identity, Mr. Fox embarks on a heist. Over three nights, he targets human farmers known for their cunning and ruthlessness. Consequently, the farmers destroy the forest community, looking to take their revenge on the thief and leave the animals of the area homeless. Furthermore, they kidnap Mr. Fox’s son, Ash. At this point, it feels impossible for Mr. Fox to reconcile the disastrous consequences of following his nature with his desire to be better.

Similarly, we can find ourselves consumed by sin’s disastrous consequences. In the wake of another slip-up, it can feel like our sin defines us. How can we possess such self-destructive tendencies and the image of God in the same self?

Mr. Fox eventually finds an answer to his confusion. It is not merely his wild nature that makes him a charismatic and valued member of his community and family. Mr. Fox’s relationships ground him. With the knowledge that his worth lies outside his eccentricities, he uses the feral nature of himself and other members of his community to rescue Ash and begin the process of rebuilding the community.

Our weaknesses are opportunities to reveal God’s strength and become who He calls us to be. The psalmist reminds us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). We are also inhabited by sin (Romans 3:23).

But God has made a path for us through Christ’s sacrifice to become more than our sin. That’s pretty fantastic.

Prayer: God, show me how my weakness can become Your glory. Grow me into who You made me to be. Amen.

Book Review 02/20/2019This Book Review is by Lily Smith, Professional Writing student at Taylor University, Upland, Indiana

Healing Our Broken Humanity is an insightful book that introduces a scripturally based vision for the modern church. The book is centralized around ten practices that modern Christians have the capability to implement into their daily lives as the modern church moves toward cultural restoration. The authors highlight the need for racial healing, which sets Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill apart as bold pursuers of Christ. Their willingness to speak with honest vulnerability reflects how Christ often spoke difficult truths to His followers. The encouraging tone of the book allows for the readers to envision what the church could become.

Grace Ji-Sun Kim speaks from a place of experience about the ethnic divides in America today. As part of a minority in America today, Kim offers personal insights and thoughtful wisdom that demonstrate her knowledge and faith. Her co-author, Graham Hill contributes practical and valuable insights into why discussions about race, sexuality, nationalism, politics and other religions are beneficial to the growth of the modern church.

The book stays true to Scripture, integrating the Word of God into the text. This gives credibility to the bold statements about race and religion that the authors make. While this book cannot entirely capture what Christ’s vision for a new humanity would be, it stimulates thought and encourages conversations about difficult and necessary topics. Healing Our Broken Humanity is thought-provoking and encouraging. It articulates brilliant and faith-filled ideas to its readers in a manner that prompts change.

This book would be encouraging for both men and women, 16 and older, who are interested in learning about cultural healing in the modern church could appreciate and learn from the book. This book highlights a vision for the modern church that was originally described by Paul in the New Testament. Christ remains the focal point of this book and the ideas articulated reflect His Word.

Review used by permission of Evangelical Church Library Association (ECLA)